WHY VISIT VILNIUS
With one of the best-preserved historic centers in Europe, Vilnius can be considered one of the most beautiful art cities in Europe.
Unfortunately, few still enter the Lithuanian capital among the unmissable destinations and it is a real pity. The Old Town, almost entirely pedestrianized, protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, runs between the Cathedral Square and the Town Hall Square, the Jewish Quarter, and the “Independent Republic” of Uzupis.
To admire the small but perfect city center at a glance, climb up to the Hill of Three Crosses or the Gediminas Tower, two symbols of national history to which the Lithuanians are very close. An undefined number of churches and religious places of every cult follow one another in Vilnius: those not to be missed are the Cathedral, the St. Anne’s Church and the Synagogue in the Ghetto.
WHAT TO SEE IN VILNIUS
Top attractions not to be missed are:
- Vilnius Old Town & Gates of Dawn (Ausros Vartai)
- Sts. Peter & Paul’s Church (Sv. Apastalu Petro ir Povilo Baznycia)
- St. Anne’s Church
- Gediminas Tower
- Bernardine Church (Bernardinu Baznycia)
- Hill of Three Crosses
- Cathedral (Arkikatedra Bazilika)
- Church of St. Theresa
- St. Nicholas Church
- Holy Spirit Orthodox Church
- St John’s church
- St. Casimir’s Church (Sv. Kazimiero Baznycia)
- Vilnius University (Vilniaus Universitetas)
- Gediminas Avenue
- Uzupis district
Following instead some hidden spots of the city that only locals know!
- on the corner of Subačiaus Street and Maironio Street, you will find a panoramic viewpoint.
WHEN TO GO TO VILNIUS
The best period to visit Vilnius is from May to September.
Following a list of main events and typical festivals and celebrations of Vilnius.
- Kaziukas Fair (march)
- International Folklore Festival “Skamba Skamba Kankliai”
- Vilnius City Fiesta
- The Lithuanian Song Celebrations (every 4 years)
HOW TO REACH AND MOVE IN VILNIUS
main airports are the Vilnius Airport.
download the transportation map
download the transportation APP
WHAT TO DO IN VILNIUS
typical dishes of Vilnius are:
- Skilandis: smoked, seasoned pork meat salami.
- Balandėliai: cabbage leaves stuffed with minced meat, rice, and onion filling.
- Didžkukuliai or cepelinai: large, oval-shaped dumplings made from grated potatoes stuffed with meat, usually served with sour cream, spirgai (cracklings), or mushrooms.
- Šaltibarščiai: cold soup made from hard-boiled eggs, cooked and shredded beets, fresh cucumbers, dill, and green onions.
- Juka: blood soup from the southern region of Lithuania.
- Vedarai: baked sausages made from pig intestines stuffed with either potato (bulviniai vėdarai) or a filling made of pork blood, barley, and other ingredients (kraujiniai vėdarai).
- Lašiniai: smoked slabs of pork underskin fat with skin, eaten as an appetizer with bread and/or onions.
- Juoda Duona: dark rye bread.
- Žemaičių blynai: pancakes filled with minced meat.
- Bulviniai blynai: potato pancakes made of shredded potatoes mixed with eggs, flour, seasonings, and onion, served with sour cream.
- Silkė: salted herring commonly served with potatoes, vegetables, and bread.
- Smoked eel is a famous Baltic delicacy.
- Bulvių plokštainis: grated potato pie mixed with eggs, milk, onions, and seasonings.
- Gira: a fermented drink made from black rye bread.
typical souvenirs of Vilnius are:
- Amber items
- Linen clothes and household items
- Ceramics
- Woowen and knitted items
- Baskets
- Ironware
- Wood artworks
The main theatre of Vilnius is Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre and Lithuanian National Drama Theatre.